Which Substrate?

[russellbrooke]

Which substrate should I use in my new tank. I've used good old play sand in the past with good results. Only problem I did find was the scratched glass. Have ooked at aquatic substrates, but from what I've read, they only keep nutrients for about 1year so what's the real point if you're using EI? Also, do they have an impact on ph over time?

Russ

 

[JoshuaA]

If you are worried about longevity of a substrate I would suggest looking at the Tropica substrate range. This product actually comes almost nutrient free however it is composed of clay and sphagnum which is placed under your normal substrate be it sand or gravel. The product then absorbs nutrients from the water column and retains them for plants to absorb them through the roots. I have had great success with this product and you don't need to renew it.

The only downside is if you disturb the gravel a lot you may release clay/sphagnum particles into the water clouding it.

 

[CletePurcel]

Which substrate should I use in my new tank. I've used good old play sand in the past with good results. Only problem I did find was the scratched glass. Have ooked at aquatic substrates, but from what I've read, they only keep nutrients for about 1year so what's the real point if you're using EI? Also, do they have an impact on ph over time?

Russ

I am having the same problem. There are so many to choose from. At the moment I am thinking of Tetraplant Complete and API 1st Layer Pure Laterite.

I have read that they last up to 3 years, and at that point the plants would probably be able to manage fine, but I am no expert. I don't know much about how these are supposed to affect pH.

 

[Shogunblue24]

Also curious as to what substrate to use in my new tank. Hope this thread gets a few more informative replies.

 

[JenCliBee]

Which substrate should I use in my new tank. I've used good old play sand in the past with good results. Only problem I did find was the scratched glass. Have ooked at aquatic substrates, but from what I've read, they only keep nutrients for about 1year so what's the real point if you're using EI? Also, do they have an impact on ph over time?

Russ

You can use pretty much anything, the substrates that 'have' nutrients within it are just as good IMO as any that collect/absorb from the water column.... ie a good cec substrate will hold nutrients for lets say an emergency 'if' you forget to column dose.

What are you purposely looking for?... are you doing it on a budget or doesn't price matter?... there are some excellent purpose substrates out there but they aren't really needed to a certain extent for your average planted tank.

If you are worried about longevity of a substrate I would suggest looking at the Tropica substrate range. This product actually comes almost nutrient free however it is composed of clay and sphagnum which is placed under your normal substrate be it sand or gravel. The product then absorbs nutrients from the water column and retains them for plants to absorb them through the roots. I have had great success with this product and you don't need to renew it.

The only downside is if you disturb the gravel a lot you may release clay/sphagnum particles into the water clouding it.

Then he may aswell go for something like akadama, much much cheaper and will do exactly the same as the tropica you've mentioned above...only downside is it only comes in a redish brown colour (really is actually quite nice though lol).

The upsides are, you dont need to cap it, cheaper and lasts a long time

 

[JoshuaA]

I was under the impression that akadama breaks down when submerged/water logged.

 

[JenCliBee]

I was under the impression that akadama breaks down when submerged/water logged.

Not for a long long time..... with all clay based substrates, they will eventually break down to some degree but akadama stays solid pretty well for a long time.

Seacham flourite and ecco complete on the other hand do break up alot quicker.

 

[JoshuaA]

I was under the impression that akadama breaks down when submerged/water logged.

Not for a long long time..... with all clay based substrates, they will eventually break down to some degree but akadama stays solid pretty well for a long time.

Seacham flourite and ecco complete on the other hand do break up alot quicker.

Alright, I seem to remember using this for potting plants a while ago and if I over watered it broke down pretty quickly. It certainly sounds good though if it doesn't break down that much *-)

 

[JenCliBee]

I was under the impression that akadama breaks down when submerged/water logged.

Not for a long long time..... with all clay based substrates, they will eventually break down to some degree but akadama stays solid pretty well for a long time.

Seacham flourite and ecco complete on the other hand do break up alot quicker.

Alright, I seem to remember using this for potting plants a while ago and if I over watered it broke down pretty quickly. It certainly sounds good though if it doesn't break down that much *-)

For potting plants did you let it go dry in between watering's?, this would probably cause the clay to dry out and break down once it has been watered again (maybe when drying out..swells and cracks, then water just gets in between cracks and causing it to split?).... I've had akadama in tanks for 12 months plus and it hasn't degraded (to the eye) in all that time.... i will be using it again very soon on my next scape and with any luck it will last just aslong if not longer

 

[JoshuaA]

Mind showing me what it looks like, the reddish colour I'm interested in and it could be much cheaper than the JBL red substrate stuff. I never thought about using that stuff but now you mentioned it been scouring the interwebs for tanks.

 

[JenCliBee]

Mind showing me what it looks like, the reddish colour I'm interested in and it could be much cheaper than the JBL red substrate stuff. I never thought about using that stuff but now you mentioned it been scouring the interwebs for tanks.

Hi mate.... have a look HERE!!! (under...'on the cheap' section ) , this will give a complete rundown on the stuff and how it looks in the tank.

I haven't got any pics of it on this laptop will try and find some from disc for ya of my own ... but it really does just look like it does on the link .

 

[JoshuaA]

Mind showing me what it looks like, the reddish colour I'm interested in and it could be much cheaper than the JBL red substrate stuff. I never thought about using that stuff but now you mentioned it been scouring the interwebs for tanks.

Hi mate.... have a look HERE!!! (under...'on the cheap' section ) , this will give a complete rundown on the stuff and how it looks in the tank.

I haven't got any pics of it on this laptop will try and find some from disc for ya of my own ... but it really does just look like it does on the link .

Ace, looks great I'm really interested in trying this. I had a 40 litre tank crack the other week with tropica substrate, rather than try salvage it I just threw it out so that was quite a waste of money. Any idea where I can pick this up in a shop? Or should I just eBay it?

 

[JenCliBee]

Mind showing me what it looks like, the reddish colour I'm interested in and it could be much cheaper than the JBL red substrate stuff. I never thought about using that stuff but now you mentioned it been scouring the interwebs for tanks.

Hi mate.... have a look HERE!!! (under...'on the cheap' section ) , this will give a complete rundown on the stuff and how it looks in the tank.

I haven't got any pics of it on this laptop will try and find some from disc for ya of my own ... but it really does just look like it does on the link .

Ace, looks great I'm really interested in trying this. I had a 40 litre tank crack the other week with tropica substrate, rather than try salvage it I just threw it out so that was quite a waste of money. Any idea where I can pick this up in a shop? Or should I just eBay it?

There's a few online places that will ship it but as you say ebay do aswell. You may find it in normal gardens centres that do bonsai trees and accessories. It is quite common amongst bonsai keepers so shouldn't be that hard to source .

You wont be disappointed with it , works a treat and at a fraction of the cost of many other 'purpose' substrates.

Let us know how you get on with it.

 

[Shogunblue24]

Does anyone know where James bought his akadama for £6.50 a bag? Seems far cheaper than I can find it.

 

[bobbydog]

Which substrate should I use in my new tank. I've used good old play sand in the past with good results. Only problem I did find was the scratched glass. Have ooked at aquatic substrates, but from what I've read, they only keep nutrients for about 1year so what's the real point if you're using EI? Also, do they have an impact on ph over time?

Russ

You can use pretty much anything, the substrates that 'have' nutrients within it are just as good IMO as any that collect/absorb from the water column.... ie a good cec substrate will hold nutrients for lets say an emergency 'if' you forget to column dose.

What are you purposely looking for?... are you doing it on a budget or doesn't price matter?... there are some excellent purpose substrates out there but they aren't really needed to a certain extent for your average planted tank.

If you are worried about longevity of a substrate I would suggest looking at the Tropica substrate range. This product actually comes almost nutrient free however it is composed of clay and sphagnum which is placed under your normal substrate be it sand or gravel. The product then absorbs nutrients from the water column and retains them for plants to absorb them through the roots. I have had great success with this product and you don't need to renew it.

The only downside is if you disturb the gravel a lot you may release clay/sphagnum particles into the water clouding it.

Then he may aswell go for something like akadama, much much cheaper and will do exactly the same as the tropica you've mentioned above...only downside is it only comes in a redish brown colour (really is actually quite nice though lol).

The upsides are, you dont need to cap it, cheaper and lasts a long time

Hi..excuse my ingnorance,but when you say"capped" do you mean that it doesn't need another substrate on top of it?..standalone?...thanx